Perth Upmarket

I was so excited about Upmarket. Its fair to say the rest of Team Rompy were less enthused, but came along anyway. We arrived just after opening time and it was already packed!

The huge crowd and hot day meant it was really difficult to enjoy it. There were a lot of things I would have liked to buy - but couldnt fight my way to the tables to do so. James and Princess spent most of the time huddled against a wall because the pram wouldnt fit anywhere and when I carried Princess she got crushed by swarms of people.

I suppose in a way its a great thing - seeing so many Perth-ies interested in handmade. But please Upmarket-ers - a bigger venue or a longer opening time is needed! I think we missed a lot of treasures!

The find of the market for Team Rompy was Champ and Rosie. We managed to squeeze up to the table and bought this sweet little print:

The text says "I love hats" which Team Rompy certainly do!

The work is lovely and the prices are a steal! Im hatching plans for a wall of their mini canvas prints!

Domokun Cake

It was James Birthday recently and we decided to have a casual BBQ in the almost finished yard. The special request was for a Domokun cake. There are a couple of these about on the internet and I followed the cutting directions provided by ljcblog.

It was a simple chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream and sprinkles.

His mouth is fondant and eyes are liquorice.

My cake tips are:

I left the cake to cool overnight - even slightly warm and the icing becomes a sloppy mess.

Brush away the crumbs with a pastry brush. Then brush again. Then again.

Think ahead and make sure you have a cake board to put it on! My poor Domo is on my biggest plate - which is a curved side sushi plate - this made him a nightmare to ice. Completely avoidable if I had remembered to buy a board from the local cake shop!

Buy pre-made coloured icing if you can find it. Hand kneading bright red dye? Bad idea - unless red hands are your favoured look. Dont bother with gloves - they stick to to the fondant and pull off.

Poor Domo - being stabbed!

Princess Turns One

Its been a long time blog! Im blaming the election - that was a mad amount of work!

In the meantime, Princess turned one!

Given the ongoing renovations at our place, we hired a local church hall. Such a lovely old building and set the scene perfectly for the Formal Afternoon Tea theme.

I spent a lot of time (no really - a lot!) scouring local second hand shops for teacups, silverware and serving plates. We had mountains of scones with jam, lemon butter and cream, cupcakes, finger sandwiches, fairy bread, jam rolls, pink lemonade and of course, tea. 

I found a great idea on Tea Rose Lane, wrapping the store bought jam rolls in scrap-booking paper. I expanded on the idea and also wrapped bottles of our home-made pink lemonade in the same paper.

I also spent a lot of time sewing bunting - Dad strung it around the hall and of course I forgot to photograph it!  Like just about everything else about the party! Even these photos werent taken by me - I have to remember next event!

Because of all the election work - my Mum & Dad & Sister sprang into action and spent the day before the party at our place baking everything. If it werent for them - Im not sure the party would have gone ahead!

Despite being a little frightened of everyone singing Happy Birthday I think Princess had a great time.

Goodbye Isis & Jodie

Princess's two favourite carers, Isis and Jodie have left her daycare. While their replacement is lovely, we cant help but feel a little down.  

What is a girl to do?   

Shopping spree thats what!

Princess unpacking her Margaret River shopping spoils: pants, two tops and a hat.  On top of that she was also lucky to receive some lovely shoes from Grandma H.

For Mama another Apothecary Jar for the Princess's birthday party Candy Buffet which is currently overtaking the office!  

We will miss you Isis & Jodie!

Birthday Party Plans

Soon, the newest member of Team Rompy will turn one.

Princess is a sweet and happy little girl with an eye for fun & fancy.

So it is only fitting that we celebrate with a formal afternoon tea party.

The house is full of bunting, silverware, teapots and cupcakes.

Here is a sneak peak!

About Me: Flickr

There is a not so new meme doing the blog rounds. You type the answers to the following questions into Flickr search and use the results to make a photo mosaic.

The questions are:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favourite food?
3. What high school did you attend?
4. What is your favourite colour?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favourite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favourite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One word to describe you.
12. Your Flickr name.

Here is the result!

Credit must go to the picture owners:   1. Linda.., 2. High Tea, 3. Woodvale, 4. Pale Pink, 5. Nathan Fillion, 6. Coffee, 7. Japan, 8. Cupcake, 9. Mama, 10. My Family, 11. Lucky, 12. Little Milla

Great fun!

Team Rompy - The Founding Member

Rompy came to us in 2003 from the RSPCA. He was an unclaimed pound dog.

We dont know when he was born or what breed he is but he has been an integral part of our family since he came home with us.

Anyone looking for a new pet would do well to visit the RSPCA or a shelter near you.

People tend to stick with buying an established breed from a pet shop or "breeder" because they think these dogs are trouble free and guaranteed to fit in with a family. Sure some rescue dogs have issues (Rompy is inexplicably afraid of men in white hats) but if you take advice from your shelter you just might find yourself a gem. Rompy is house trained, 100% fit & healthy and gets on wonderfully with Princess.

If you need any more encouragement stop by www.saynotoanimalsinpetshops.com

Goodbye Mission Brown Pergola!

So, our house has:

• A small unworkable kitchen
• Mouldy ceilings
• Mismatched carpets
• A green toilet
• Patchy paint
• A wild unusable garden

But we love it - why? Because it feels like a home.

From the funny little patched picture hooks, to the growth chart on the pantry door, it really feels like a happy family has lived here.  That is why we did not hesitate when buying.  Sure, not the most sensible thing to base a big investment on, but important to us.

The house was built by a lovely woman named Barbara.  Barbara lived here with her family in the original house when it was one big block.  After her husband passed away she built four new houses on the block and lived here with her children.

The feeling of a happy loving family life has seeped into the bones of the place. Which is why, even though we want to change a lot, we want to keep the warm, friendly, happy feeling it already has.

First big job?  Goodbye falling down, held up by twisty ties pergola!

Come on in!

This will be our way of keeping people up to date with news on our family & renovation project.